-
Reddit’s r_k12sysadmin Credits: @r_channels @reddit2telegram
The K-12 Tech Landscape: An Outsider’s Inside Perspective
Article from someone that left k12 tech... https://k12techpro.com/the-k-12-tech-landscape-an-outsiders-inside-perspective/
https://redd.it/1apkh2n
@r_k12sysadmin
JAMF School: No Longer Executing Scripts?
As the title implies, I am seeing that my JAMF School instance will no longer execute (any) scripts on devices. Testing my scripts locally on machines see them run without issue. Is anyone else seeing this? or have had experience with scripts in general not executing through the MDM?
To add additional clarity. JAMF School is no longer executing (bash / Applescript) scripts that once worked without any issues. In the past, I have created several scripts to automate the device provisioning process. These scripts ran without any issues until a week ago when they no longer will run. Checking the MDM, the log files show that the script ran on the machine. However, I know the script did not run because the first line of each script I write has the date, time, and machine name sent to a log file for debugging. If the script attempts to run, even if it fails, the first line should create the log file, which it does not. Taking that into consideration, I know that the script could not have possibly attempted to run on the system due to the fact that the log file was never created.
I'm just testing the waters to see if anyone else is having the same issues when trying to execute scripts in JAMF School right now. Any feedback or ideas would be much appreciated.
https://redd.it/1ap88qi
@r_k12sysadmin
ClassLink QuickCards with Chromebooks
We’ve recently implemented ClassLink Chromebook login with QuickCards in our domain. Things are working, but users are complaining that they lose their progress on what they’re working on. This is because we changed the action on lid close and ac idle action to Logout based on ClassLink’s recommendation.
Before ClassLink, we had the following settings
* Action on lid close – Sleep
* Lock screen on sleep or lid close – Lock Screen
* AC idle action – Do Nothing
I initially didn’t change it, but then students would get the lock screen with a prompt to enter their password, and have to restart their chromebook.
What does everyone do for this issue?
ClassLink Recommends:
> In User Data, select Erase all local user data to prevent sessions from being saved. Be sure to set the Chromebook Action to log out when the Chromebook lid is closed to stop the Google account-picker from appearing when the Chromebook locks or goes to sleep.
https://redd.it/1ap4cs1
@r_k12sysadmin
4gb or 8gb that is the question
With your future chromebook purchases are you looking at 4GB or 8GB now? I feel like we are at the 8GB stage now? Thoughts?
https://redd.it/1aonmzt
@r_k12sysadmin
Client not downloading updates from WSUS - Stuck at 0%
I rebuilt/updated a WSUS because it hadn't been cleaned in years and was bogged down by old updates.
I approved an update for one my PC to make sure everything was working correctly. Turns out it's not. The client will find the update that I approve but it will not download it and it's stuck at 0%.
I did some research and most people have this issue when the approved update didn't actually download and sync to the update server. I looked at my WSUS content folder and it is there and the client is at least seeing the update.
I'm running WSUS on server 2019.
Anyone have any recommendations I could look into?
https://redd.it/1amxr5e
@r_k12sysadmin
Acer 734T Chromebooks
Anyone here using Acer 734t Chromebooks? How has your experience been?
https://redd.it/1amt2jq
@r_k12sysadmin
Google play store disappearing from Chromebooks
Good morning everyone,
Starting Weds afternoon, we began to receive reports from users that the Minecraft EE Android app was disappearing from Chromebooks. After doing some research we found that Google Play was uninstalling itself from random devices. That problem continued on through Thursday and we are continuing to get reports of Play disappearing from devices that it has been working on for months.
To the best of our knowledge, we have only made 2 changes in our chrome admin console in the last couple of weeks: we moved from 118 to 120 last week and earlier this week we found enabled Verified Mode because we found that was disabled. We have reviewed all of the documentation we can find regarding setting up the Play store on Managed Chrome devices and as best we can tell, everything is configured correctly.
Just randomly throwing out things I have checked: I can confirm that I can see assigned, managed apps by checking my managed apps (https://play.google.com/work/licenses/apps). Google Play and Managed Google Play services are on and we have the allow users to install android apps toggle on in the apps settings. Android Management is enabled in subscriptions.
We tried to reach out to our Google rep but found they have left the company and we do not have info for a new rep yet. We are trying to work with google support but so far that is a dead end.
Again, everything has been working correctly all school year and we did not have any issues until 48 hours ago. We are at a loss and appreciate any help or ideas anyone else has. Thanks!
https://redd.it/1amowbx
@r_k12sysadmin
Security camera recommendation with 90 days storage
We need 90 days of storage, and I've been looking at Verkada and they are too expensive. Any recommendation? We need something cloud based and modern.
https://redd.it/1amhazw
@r_k12sysadmin
Someone installed a water feature in our data center without previous authorization
https://redd.it/1am5abj
@r_k12sysadmin
Staff district account Youtube playlist can't be view by students?
So one of our health teachers has made a few playlists of video's for students. When a student clicks the link for the Youtube play lists they get a message saying, "Sorry, you can't access this content with your account". BUT, each individual video works without issue. Also the creators channel has playlists and tested those playlists with a student account and it works without issue.
I changed the Youtube permissions in GAdmin from Moderate to Unrestricted and tested the Staff members playlist and it worked without issue. The staff members youtube channel/account also is approved for the district.
Any direction on what to look at next?
https://redd.it/1alymkq
@r_k12sysadmin
Best Filter/classroom control?
We had Lightspeed Rocket (which has aged out). We moved to AristotleK12 this last year and it has not worked well with our Microsoft Windows Environment. Right now, I'm investigating goguardian.
What I'm wanting
\- filter (different groups differently. Different times of days)
\- classroom control by teachers (see screen, history, open normally filtered sites)
\- Works with MS Windows and Edge.
We are k12 school of about 1200 students.
​
Thank you!
https://redd.it/1al8uwz
@r_k12sysadmin
SANS live Language Labs
Has anyone installed this on their server? I have questions about the SSL they want. Windows Server 2022.
https://redd.it/1al2flq
@r_k12sysadmin
K12sysadmin product watchdogs unite! Pls amplify our voice! "ok reddit do your thing" - k12 edition
Hey fellow IT-Heads -
I'd love to get your support on changing NWEA assessments data reporting practices! In 2024 we are still downloading data teacher by teacher, wrestling it into a PDF, and then playing a high-stakes game of 'clean, split, and mail merge' to get those reports to parents.
This process is the perfect storm of stress, time pressure, and potential for error. And when those errors happen, oh boy, are they a doozy! Picture this: Explaining to a parent why a targeted report of their child's weaknesses was sent to their neighbor. But wait, it gets better. Imagine if the mail merge skews and suddenly, every kid in the district is getting the score of the kid just below them alphabetically. That's not just an 'oops' moment, that's an 'update your resume' moment.
NWEA is our only platform without the ability for users to log in! How hard is it to create a login (sso for privacy) for parents to access their child's data??
NWEA still insists on us unpackaging and repackaging and unpackaging their data! Why? Because it's cheaper for them and hey, less liability, right? We'd stop paying their ridiculous annual per-student costs If only switching didn't mean kissing goodbye to years of or students precious longitudinal data.
So, here's my plea, dear comrades in IT: please, lend me your clicks - "upvote" this issue on their (half social media / product feedback?) reporting system. Maybe, just maybe, the collective sighs of exasperation of schools beholden to subpar edtech platforms will echo loud enough for a change.
Upvote for Sanity
Keep fighting the good fight!
https://redd.it/1akm6h1
@r_k12sysadmin
Real time translation
We have a few non English students and would like to offer real time translation during class lectures, what have you guys done or have seen done?
I’ve looked at wordly but was wondering if you guys have an recommendations.
Thank you
https://redd.it/1akjbof
@r_k12sysadmin
Student Devices Question
Hello everyone, we are in the process of refreshing our student devices. We would like to save some money by using devices longer than we do currently. Our Chromebooks are breaking down quite often. We currently use chromebooks for 3rd-12th, and Ipads for K-2. I am wondering what other schools are using for student devices? We are going to keep Ipads for K-2 but are thinking about using Ipads is 3rd and 4th. Also we are considering Macbook Airs for 7th-12th, does anyone use Macs? Could I get that long out of them? Or does anyone have any device that they recommend?
​
Thanks!
https://redd.it/1akdym9
@r_k12sysadmin
Clever MFA, Rise Vision, and Conspiracy Theories Episode
New episode is out - We discuss who hacked into Fulton County, Georgia schools' computer systems, we touch on the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, and we trade thoughts on a Maine school that will begin biometric scanning for student attendance. We debrief the Clever MFA roadmap and how a student-friendly MFA could work. The main topic of the episode is an interview with the CEO of Rise Vision, Brian Loosbrock, where we discuss their digital displays and how they are revolutionizing the education industry.
Listen here (and all major podcast platforms) - https://k12techtalkpodcast.com/e/episode-154-clever-mfa-risevision-and-conspiracy-theories/
https://redd.it/1apbwcr
@r_k12sysadmin
Google workspace / Chrome os not opening word doc files with links
So interesting issue or could just be the new normal with malware protection...
The issue is have a word docx file it opens fine from a thumb drive, the file has URL's on it. You try to open them and chrome blocks them. So converted the docx into a google doc, links open as they should no blocked messages or anything.
Anyone seeing this?
​
Currently at 114
https://redd.it/1ap47p9
@r_k12sysadmin
Toshiba Copiers
Our copier contract is up for renewal. We currently have Sharp copiers. A vendor is quoting Toshiba brand devices. I have never used them. Any thoughts or opinions about Toshiba copiers?
To me it seems like support and service is more important than brand. This vendor also sells Sharp brand.
We are a school with 1,500 students and 21 devices. (a mix of copiers and MFD)
https://redd.it/1ap27zx
@r_k12sysadmin
Contract question
If you’re not on a teacher contract, how do you make more money? Right now I take classes and move lanes. If I’m on a different contract do I just negotiate that movement? Classes? Certs?
https://redd.it/1aochle
@r_k12sysadmin
Odd Google Services Outage?
Is anyone else having users report being unable to access Google Docs/Sheets while other services like Drive/Gmail continue working on Windows desktop? I had one initially this morning which I assumed was a fluke, especially considering I tried putting them on wifi for the same result while using a chromebook to access worked fine, and it corrected itself after about 10ish minutes but just had it happen to another user that hasn't resolved itself quite yet. This time it's a user whose connected to the same switch as I am and I can still access Docs/Sheets from my own Windows devices which rules out my theory that fixing the time on my switches the other day might be the culprit.
​
On a similar note how are you even supposed to ping these individual services? Pinging the primary/secondary IPs for Google worked fine and I know they probably have multiple IPs for their various services.
https://redd.it/1amwk0x
@r_k12sysadmin
Anyone use an alternative option from the FUYL charging lockers?
I was eyeing up that product for our institution but I doubt we'd ever get approval at 10K per unit. Frankly all we would need is the charging and signing in and out capability. Has anyone tried out similar products and are happy with them and the price? It's a shame because this would solve a lot of student accountability problems we are having here.
Thanks!
https://redd.it/1amrgdu
@r_k12sysadmin
Fortigate SSL VPN vulnerability under active attack
All major versions of FortiOS from 6.2 to 7.4 are vulnerable and patches have been posted.
Link to advisory
Assigned CVE-2024-21762
If you can't patch immediately, you may want to disable SSL-VPN until you can.
Happy Friday!
https://redd.it/1ammtut
@r_k12sysadmin
Document Camera Recommendation
What’s best document camera that:
1) Isn’t IPEVO or their hot garbage Visualizer software
2) Is in that sub-$200 price point
3) Has a light
4) Tall/agile enough to show a full sheet of paper without having to stack books underneath it.
5) Has decent software that runs on macOS (bonus points for Chromebook support)
https://redd.it/1amcidh
@r_k12sysadmin
Domain joined Windows users not being prompted to change password
When we have to reset someone's password in AD, we always select the option to prompt the user to create a new password when they next log in with the temp password. Windows 11 has stopped asking them to create a password, so we end up having to go through the Windows account options. This leads to them having to sign in several times, having the process sometimes fail, and often frustrating the user. Is there a way around this, or what caused the prompt not to appear? Thanks.
https://redd.it/1am02hw
@r_k12sysadmin
CDWG Services
I have a wireless upgrade project coming up and got a response from CDWG, their pricing is super competitive, but I've never worked with them with the labor side of thing. Has anyone used CDWG for installation services? Good, Bad or whatever?
https://redd.it/1aldwuw
@r_k12sysadmin
MFA for non MFA Native devices/systems?
Can anyone point me into the direction of what I need to be researching? Our HVAC system which has a controller on site and is web facing does not have MFA or the capabilities on it's own. Is there a device or system I put in between the open web facing connection and the device to MFA it?
https://redd.it/1al9gh4
@r_k12sysadmin
Managing student, staff, parent accounts
Hi All,
First time working in a school (come from MSP background) so please be patient.
​
We are currently using MIM (Microsoft Identity Manager) to take data out of Synergetic, and push to onprem AD and Schoolbox.
​
We are looking at other options, specifically SDS, but are unsure if this would meet our full requirements with being able to sync the data out of Synergetic into AD and Schoolbox.
​
Anyone else using these systems?
Is there a better way?
End goal is to have a reliable system, that meets our needs, that we can understand and support.
https://redd.it/1akr05w
@r_k12sysadmin
Scrolling Announcements/Morning News Streaming
Hello! We currently have scrolling announcements 24/7 that is just some text on field trips, testing info, etc. At any point, we can transition the scrolling announcements into a live stream for our student news segment. We accomplish this by using a ZV sync encoder with LiveStream Studio. We will be undergoing building renovations and renovated rooms/new builds will not have coax run to the rooms. Anyone have a solution they use similar to our needs based off internet? I don't necessarily want to stream externally, but trying to weigh out all the options.
Thanks!
https://redd.it/1akj8ke
@r_k12sysadmin
Wi-Fi strength app
Does anyone here use an app on their Android phone to test signal strength in school buildings and classrooms? Which one works best? Thanks. Any other helpful apps for your role would be great to know, just switched phones.
https://redd.it/1akjli9
@r_k12sysadmin
Has anyone dropped 1:1?
Have you been in a system that went 1:1 and stopped? Money is drying up and kids are breaking these laptops just as quickly (though a decent % pay the bill). Decent increase of staff expense hiring more helpdesk techs but they are still overworked. I can see it going away or attempting to move to Google to save money (licensing, hardware, ease for Techs)
https://redd.it/1akfxnz
@r_k12sysadmin